Why Bees Are Disappearing

Just stumbled upon this fascinating TED talk by Marla Spivak.

She dives into the incredible world of honeybees that have thrived for 50 million years, each colony harmoniously coordinated with 40 to 50,000 individuals. But here’s the kicker: why, seven years ago, did colonies start dying en masse? Marla Spivak uncovers four interacting reasons with tragic consequences. It’s not just about bees pollinating a third of the world’s crops; it might be something much more profound—like a mirror reflecting something about us?

For me, beekeeping wasn’t just a hobby; it was a hands-on confirmation of what I’d been observing in my own life for decades.

Flashback forty years, and placing a hive in town seemed like a less appealing option compared to the farm. Fast forward to today, and it’s a complete turnaround. My best hives are the ones I leave near or in town. Sure, they might not churn out as much honey in the short term, but they are:

• healthier
• over winter better
• require less feed
• and consistently produce honey

If you’re curious, Noah Wilson-Rich and I have more thoughts on Urban Bees here.

What are your thoughts on this? Let’s chat!

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Cheers, D 🌴🌊